A fleeting embarrassed look crosses Kuma's face.
"I meant no disrespect to your former companion," he explains, speaking more slowly now. "Sometimes I speak before thinking things through. It is common...among my people...for a new hunter or warrior to boast of his strengths. The rumors...well, I should know better than to trust ill-tempered whispers in bar room corners. My friends, I apologize. I shall buy a round of drinks, and we will toast his memory!"
He then goes on, "As for me...I am Kuma, of the Blood of Artok, on my naming quest from my home far to the north. Through spoils of battle, and great deeds done, I will prove myself worthy of the blood of chieftains and one day claim the honor that is mine. I offer my sword and my skill at arms to your group, for it would be madness for us to have the same destination, yet travel separately. What say you? What say you all?"
"I meant no disrespect to your former companion," he explains, speaking more slowly now. "Sometimes I speak before thinking things through. It is common...among my people...for a new hunter or warrior to boast of his strengths. The rumors...well, I should know better than to trust ill-tempered whispers in bar room corners. My friends, I apologize. I shall buy a round of drinks, and we will toast his memory!"
He then goes on, "As for me...I am Kuma, of the Blood of Artok, on my naming quest from my home far to the north. Through spoils of battle, and great deeds done, I will prove myself worthy of the blood of chieftains and one day claim the honor that is mine. I offer my sword and my skill at arms to your group, for it would be madness for us to have the same destination, yet travel separately. What say you? What say you all?"